Fashion and beauty lifestyle blog

nyx

Despite the extremely bi-polar weather that we are currently experiencing, it is officially Spring. Spring is often associated with new, fresh beginnings. This means we often switch up our make up too. Fresh, lighter make up, and a perfect excuse to refresh our product stock. (I’m using the word stock purposely, because I own so many products I could indefinitely open a shop).

Although this seems rather pricey for a conditioner, this 236ml size would last me years as I have been co-washing my hair recently. However, when I dye my roots every 6-8 weeks consequently I have to wash my hair (annoyingly as it’s so much commitment); and have fallen in love with this conditioner. It smells like a spa treatment, a natural relaxing scent. And it contains absorbent fatty acids, which are brilliant for over processed hair such as mine. It doesn’t weigh my hair down like some conditioners do, but leaves hair feeling revitalised and healthy.

This is an amazing product for busy individuals wanting a natural looking tan. Again, it’s quite pricey but you can use it sparingly.

The formulation is super lightweight, meaning you can apply the gel like a normal moisturiser and gain a light, even tan.

3. Reb’l Fleur Body Must by Rihanna, reduced to £5 at Boots

Found this complete bargain whilst picking up all my beauty essentials on a recent trip to Boots. I don’t usually buy celebrity perfumes, which is probably not the wisest of choices from an economical point of view. I’ve realised they are usually cheaper than their designer counterparts, and can become some of your favourite scents. This Rihanna body mist smells gorgeous, it’s a girly scent perfect for Spring. Plus the 236ml bottle means that even wasteful individuals like myself won’t have to worry about using it up too quickly.

This is £9 very well spent. Consisting of 6 basic looking colours, this palette has taken me from Winter to Spring effortlessly. With a beautiful combination of natural nude shades and bright colours. You can create an array of looks by experimenting.

(As pictured) You can create natural, pretty looks with the nude shades. You can easily convert these into more dramatic looks by adding in the brights; or alternatively by building the colour up.

How to get more beauty bang for your buck

On another note I wanted to talk about one of my personal goals for Spring, that I think may help everyone. I’ve been really disciplined in saving money this year, and yes that includes spending on beauty products (waaaah *sadface*).

As I’ve mentioned I took a trip to my local Boots last week to stock up on some essentials; and I managed to get all the products in this picture for £25!

I would like to share my tips on how to get the best beauty bang for your buck. Here are my top tips;

1. Special Offers

Of course when shopping everybody keeps their eye out for special offers, but you can be smart with offers. By stocking up on products that you don’t need immediately but in future, you will save yourself some serious money. For example, on my shopping trip I didn’t need two bottles of dry shampoo but seeing as they were half price, I got one for future use.

Building up a useful stock of products helps you not to buy needlessly. I’ve made a pact this year to use a product up fully before buying another similar product.

2. Clearance

Again, always check the reduced items on sale. I picked up this lovely Rihanna body mist for £5, which doubles as a perfume for me. I didn’t need it right now, but I was aware that my current perfume is running out; and £5 is much cheaper than any perfume I would have picked out in Boots. You will save a lot of money buying in advance.

3. Don’t double up

Another important fact to remember about beauty products, is that they do in fact have expiration dates. So we may think having 10 moisturisers in our drawer is a good idea – but actually you only use one at a time, and by the time you come to use the other 9, they may not be fit for purpose. Consumer wastage is a huge part of our capitalist culture, but it needn’t be. We can avoid endlessly throwing away products by sensibly buying what we need. Unless, as stated above it’s a product that you are aware you use everyday, and gets used up fairly quickly.

Ultimately, what we need to do is shop with a clarity. Instead of being blinded by pretty marketing campaigns, think about what you actually need and actually use.

4. Don’t be blinded by names

There are also certain products whereby you needn’t buy a known name brand. For example, I needed hay fever tablets. Instead of opting for Piriton allergy tablets which were around the £4 mark. I got an unbranded packet of allergy tablets for 85p, and generally when you cross check the ingredients in both branded and non branded – you find they are scarily similar. Naturally, this won’t be applicable for every product. But where you can, I would advise sticking to non branded as you will save a bundle of cash.

When you are fortunate enough to review a myriad of products from various brands – inevitably you end up with favourites. It says a lot about those products that you actually continue to use and would agree to buy again.

Here are my current favourite products that I use daily (and yes that is a My Little Pony make up bag, isn’t it super cute?):

This bronzing make up base is a godsend. Despite the hefty price tag, the quality is well worth the investment. I use it everyday before applying foundation, it provides a natural looking tan and a smooth base.

Great great value for money. This concealer even manages to hide my dark circles, which is the equivalent to an actual panda. Hugh coverage without being too heavy on the skin, has longevity also – after wearing it all day it doesn’t crack under your eyes.

I am such a fusspot when it comes to mascara, I like them to be thick but not clumpy. And extra voluminous. This No7 mascara is an absolute beaut, in its glittery casing it looks the part – and performs just as well. After applying just two coats I have thick long natural looking lashes!

I usually use powder blushers, so it’s a wonder I’ve been converted to cream blush. In actual fact it’s much easier to use, just smooth it on and blend it in to your own preference. Previously I was using a powder blush by Charlotte Tilbury which although I was happy using the product, it was so difficult to get it right. The blush was so highly pigmented that one swish too many and you ended up looking like Pennywise from IT. Not a look I would strongly recommend.

This is possibly the cutest and most useful mini Eyeshadow palette I’ve ever owned. The colours are neutral yet striking, pigmented enough for a day look. However if you want to transition to a night time, more dramatic look you can layer up the darker brown colour. Love this palette.

An absolute steal for £3.90. I’ve mentioned this primer before, but it’s one I’ve been using religiously the last two months. And when it runs out I will be purchasing again. It provides a smooth base for make up, it isn’t greasy and it isn’t overly Matte either. The result is natural, fresh looking make up.

The best brow neatener I’ve ever used. I will legit cry when this finishes. Makes my brows pop without any effort whatsoever. I outline my brows with this, smudge it with a brush and they look amazing. Real HD effect with little effort.

Slightly difficult to get on with at first but I have grown to love this product. The blonde colour is perfect for my eyebrows, and the brush has a clever double side. One part you can use to add colour and definition, the other is an eyebrow brush which you can use to neaten the hairs. AND it lasts forever!

Much like every make up obsessor I often sit and think which products I need next. Like, of course I NEED a new eyeshadow pallet to add to my already huge collection of about 20. Pssssh. My justification was that I decided to branch out to bright, pigmented colours. I wanted one palette with every colour – so that when I’m getting ready I don’t need to have a gazillion palettes surrounding me. It just gets messy and confusing. On my quest to find the perfect palette I came across NYX’ website. NYX is both amazing quality, and great prices.

From the swatches you can see how pigmented the eyeshadow colours are; fortunately for a larger palette the quality of the eyeshadows has not been compromised. The only problem is choosing which shade to use because there’s just so much choice and I’m so goddamn indecisive. Not to mention scared of leaving my comfort zone. Buying this was a real step outside my ordinary box, and I’m so grateful that I did that. If you never take chances in life you won’t ever discover anything new.

For the initial use I decided to experiment and go for a pink smoky eye, it was my first attempt to use any eyeshadow colours apart from nudes and blacks (nudes and black are life though) .

In conclusion I found the eyeshadows a great pleasure to use. It’s like being a candid kid at the candy shop, waiting to apprehensively, excitedly chose your pick n mix sweets 😍

One tip I would suggest is to spritz your eyeshadow brush with setting spray and then apply. Gives an even more pigmented than usual colour, you will look like a walking rainbow. 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
Have a great Sunday guys!

Seeing as I spent the most part of 2016 drawing on cheekbones I don’t really have; I thought why not share my fake cheekbone techniques with you all for the new year. Because even the chubbiest of faces can look defined with the correct make up skills!

My contour is simple. Recently I have only been using two make up products to create either a natural, or more exaggerated contour. Depending on mood and ocassion. (But still contour everyday, eff the haters)

You also need a highlighter – I prefer a stick one (at the moment I’m using Revlon), but liquid highlighter can give a more intense effect. If your going for that ‘highlight on fleek’ look. If you want the world and his wife to know you are wearing highlighter – and of course there’s nothing wrong with that. Hell, you aren’t going to spend £30 plus on a highlighter to hide it.

The technique:

Now this is slightly more complex to explain but I shall try anyway.

So depending on which parts of your face you want to contour (for me it’s my nose which I despise, my nose is more evil than Donald trump not even joking – uglier as well).

Use the lighter side of the contour stick for any concealing you wish to do.

The darker side can be used to create shadow…. and of course cheekbones. The trick with creating cheekbones is to draw them in the desired area, and bake. Allow the make up to set for a few minutes. (This routine is as holy as baking a cake TBH). When the make up has baked for an appropriate amount of time, blend in (not too hard or you’ll blend off your cheekbones). Blend until the line looks natural, but still gives definition. You can also do this around your blusher if you wish, it creates a striking look.

Even if this summer in England was a complete wash-out (quite literally); there is still an intense need to compile favourite / much needed beauty products for summer. Who even needs an excuse to buy more?

Let’s be honest buying and using Chanel products can make anyone feel like Audrey Hepburn. The epitome of class; this hydrating serum is a must-have. It smells divine, and it is multi-purpose. Can be used as a primer before make-up application, as a daily moisturiser or treatment for skin. Plus it looks great on your dressing table. (Yes I am that superficial).

Quick tip: Try to buy Chanel products at the duty free section at airports, I got this serum for around £45, which is almost half price.

NYXX is slowly becoming my favourite beauty brand. Such good value for money – and these blotting papers are a life saver. If, like me after 3 hours your make-up looks like you’ve been dipped in a chip fat fryer; then you need these blotting papers. They soak up excess oil without spoiling your contour, and they fit in your handbag. Cuuuuute.

If the blotting papers aren’t adequate defence against major grease, I would recommend this primer. The trick to achieving a matte face (espesh in summer when humidity makes your face melt off like an Ikea candle), is attacking it from all angles. Prep is the best defence, and with this primer you’ll be as matte as matte can be.

This does actually smell good enough to eat. And it’s brilliant because it gives a seductive glossy finish to lips, and is intensely moisturising plus has SPF 25 to protect lips from harmful UV rays. If you are going abroad this summer to a country with a hot climate – don’t leave without this sexy (practical) gloss.

If there’s one thing summer does do – it can seriously dehydrate your skin. This milk veil is the perfect moisturising treat for skin, apply morning and night (after bathing is the best time). This will make you smell gorgeous, and your skin will be as smooth as silk. This milkshake will bring all the boys to your yard!